How to Cushion a Bench

by Wade Shaddy

Pad any bench with an upholstered cushion.

You can cushion a bench just like commercial furniture makers, with the same products. It's a straightforward task that uses dense foam padding and your choice of fabric. Benches, chairs and even some couches are typically assembled and finished, and then the cushions are made separately and attached to the items before they leave the factory. You can make a cushion and attach it to almost any bench using your own two hands, some adhesive and a staple gun.

1

Measure the top of the bench. Using a table saw, cut the 3/4-inch plywood to the same size as the bench top. Use a utility knife to cut the foam padding the same size.

2

Spray the plywood with a heavy coat of contact adhesive. Place the foam directly on top. Take your time, and place it onto the plywood as close to square as possible. Contact adhesive bonds immediately. It will be hard to adjust once it sticks.

3

Place the plywood foam side down, centered on the fabric. You should have enough fabric to pull up and over the sides, and to extend over the edge of the plywood by at least 2 inches.

4

Place one or both of your knees on the back of the plywood to compress the foam underneath. Pull the fabric up from one corner. Stretch it as tight as possible over the corner. Run a row of staples across the fabric to hold it in place on the plywood. Stretch the next corner up and over. Run another row of staples. Do all four corners while keeping the weight of your body on the plywood.

5

Pull the fabric up, centered on the sides. Stretch it tight and run a row of staples. Do all four sides. Keep your weight on the plywood. Use an upholstery staple gun with staples that have a 3/8-inch crown and 1/4-inch leg.

6

Pull and stretch the remaining slack areas while stapling the fabric. Do a short stretch at a time, working around the perimeter of the plywood so that it tightens the fabric evenly all the way around.

7

Turn the cushion over and inspect it. Locate any areas that look slack or have small ridges or pleats. Mark them on the bottom. Turn the cushion over. Place your weight on it and stretch and pull the pleats and ridges out while stapling the fabric as you go. Repeat checking for slack and pleats, and tighten as necessary until you're satisfied.

8

Trim off any excess fabric. Use a drill/driver to drill 3/16-inch holes down through the top of the bench spaced every 12 inches along the length, 2 inches from the edge.

9

Turn the bench upside down on the cushion. Square it with the edges. Place 1 1/2-inch screws in the holes. Use the drill/driver to drive the screws into the bottom of the cushion to secure it.

Things You Will Need

3/4-inch plywood

Table saw

Utility knife

1 1/2-inch thick dense foam

Contact adhesive

Fabric

Upholstery staple gun

Staples with 3/8-inch crown, 1/4-inch leg

Scissors

Drill/driver

3/16-inch drill bit

1 1/2-inch screws

Tip

If you do not want to permanently attach the cushion to the bench, you can place adhesive hook-and-loop fasteners on the bench and the bottom of the cushion.

Warning

Check the depth of your screws before screwing the cushion to the bench. Make sure they won't penetrate up through the cushion.

About the Author

Specializing in hardwood furniture, trim carpentry, cabinets, home improvement and architectural millwork, Wade Shaddy has worked in homebuilding since 1972. Shaddy has also worked as a newspaper reporter and writer, and as a contributing writer for Bicycling Magazine. Shaddy began publishing in various magazines in 1992, and published a novel, “Dark Canyon,” in 2008.

Photo Credits

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